Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed House Bill 2372 into law, which includes a ban on health insurers from placing time limits on reimbursement for anesthesia coverage during surgery, according to a July 13 news release from the governor’s office.
Here are five things to know:
- Under the bill, patients’ anesthesia services are covered for the duration of their procedure.
- In November 2024, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield proposed a cap on anesthesia reimbursements based on insurer-determined surgery time limits.
- The company reversed the policy in December 2024 after receiving criticism from medical organizations including the American Society of Anesthesiologists.
- HB 2372 was sponsored by state Rep. Tara Peters and state Sen. Mike Bernskoetter.
- Maryland and Illinois are among the states that have passed similar legislation banning anesthesia coverage time limits.
Read the full bill, which goes into effect Aug. 28, here.
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